USF DT Terrell McClain was the first USF player selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, as the Carolina Panthers selected The Dancing Bear with the first pick in the 3rd Round. With Carolina going with QB Cam Newton in the first round, McClain was the first defensive player selected by new Panthers coach Ron Rivera.
With Carolina rebuilding after a horrendous 2010 campaign, McClain will have more than an ample opportunity to prove himself and earn some playing time on the two-deep. Terrell's speed and quickness should fit in perfectly with the new high-pressure defense that Rivera is bringing in.
We wish Terrell the best of luck in the future except when he comes back to Raymond James every year.
----------
The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft starts at 8 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 28, and SB Nation has everything you need to prepare: NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it out at SB Nation's NFL Draft page and our NFL Draft blog, Mocking the Draft.